Belt buckle with slidable gripper element



Nov. 1, 1949. o. .1. HUELSTER BELT BUCKLE WITH SLIDABLE GRIPPER ELEMENTFiled July 1, 1944 INVENTOR OTTO J HUELS'TER Patented Nov. 1, 1949 BELTBUCKLE WITH SLIDABLE GRIPPER ELEMENT Otto J. Huelster, Waterb ScovillManufacturing Company, Waterbury, Conn., a corporation of ConnecticutApplication July 1, 1944, Serial No. 543,078

7 Claims.

This invention relates to buckles as commonly employed on belts. Moreparticularly, the invention deals with buckles freely adjustable alongone end portion of a belt in adjusting the size thereof, and having snapfastener engagement with the other end portion of the belt for quicklycoupling and uncoupling the belt ends and without disturbing adjustmentof the buckle on one end of the belt. Still more particularly, theinvention deals with buckle devices of the kind under considerationwherein the socket part of the snap fastener employed is arranged uponand movable with the gripper element of the buckle and slidably movablein the buckle frame. The novel features of the invention will be bestunderstood from the following descriptions when taken together with theaccompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention aredisclosed, and in which the separate parts are designated by suitablereference characters in each of the views; and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing portions of a belt preparatory tocoupling the same through the snap fastener means employed.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1,showing one end of the belt in side elevation and the other end of thebelt carrying the stud of the snap fastener, in dot and dash lines.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the buckle shown in Figs. 1 and 2,detached.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing only the one belt part inside elevation, and showing a modified form of buckle frame.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of another form of buckle which I employ; and

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 11 of Fig. 6.

In Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive is shown one adaptation of my invention, Fig.1 showing the end portions l and H of a belt or other support, the endll having a more or less conventional stud l2 on one surface thereofadjacent the belt end, whereas the belt end H) has a buckle l3adjustably supported thereon.

The buckle l3 comprises an elongated frame It substantially rectangularin form and defined by side rails l joined by transverse end rails I6and I1, and a central plate portion l8 spaced'from the rails l6 and I!by apertures I9 and 20, through which the belt end I0 is adapted to befreely threaded by first passing the end outwardly through the aperturel9, and then inwardly through the aperture 20 in the manner shown, toarrange that part 2| of the belt positioned between the apertures I9 and20 over the plate I8.

The plate l8 has centrally and longitudinally thereof an elongatedaperture 22, and arranged upon the upper surface of the plate It; is agripper element 23 preferably of gear like construction,

ury, Conn., assignor to that is to say, this element is in the form of around disc having at its periphery circumferenseen at 25, so as to restupon tially spaced gripper teeth 24. The central portion of the element23 is offset downwardly, as the plate l8, thus minimizing the surfacecontact area of the ment 23 with the plate as well as to space the toothlike periphery of the element 23 above the plate, thus providing a freergripping action on the belt andalso facilitating adjustment of thebuckle longitudinally of the belt.

At this time, it is also well to point out that by providing a gear likegripper element, many advantageous results are provided. First, in thatfree rotation of this element on the buckle frame provides indefiniteuse of the buckle in minimizing wear upon the gripper teeth as differentteeth are brought into engagement with the belt in adjustment thereof.Further, a circular gripper element of this type and kind localizes thegripping action on the central portion of the belt, thus avoiding anyinjury to stitched edges and also compensating for belts includinginturned or folded edges. Furthermore, a more positive gripping actionis provided. Still further, it will be apparent that a gripper elementof the type and kind defined lends itself to simplified and economizedmanufacture as well. as assemblage in the buckle frame.

Centrally of the offset portion 25, the gripper has a downwardlyextending short tubular hub portion 26 which fits freely but snugly inthe aperture 22 in guiding the gripper for longitudinal movement in theframe, while at the same time providing free rotary movement of thegripper in said frame. Below the portion 26 is a further reduced tubularportion 21 which is riveted or spun over, as seen at 28 in securing asocket part 29 of a snap fastener to the gripper 23. This coupling ofthe socket part 29 with the gripper 23 may be free so that the socketpart can rotate on the tubular portion 21 or may be fixed against anymovement, depending upon the method of assembly employed. The socketpart 29 may be of any desired form and construction, and in the presentillustration, comprises a cup shaped body having an enlarged or radiallyoffset lower end 30 for supporting a spring ring 3|, this ring beingadapted to yieldably engage the stud I2, as in other snap fastenerdevices of this type and kind. This construction provides a quickcoupling and uncoupling of the buckle l3 with the stud l2 in couplingand uncoupling the strap ends 19 and II. It will be understood thatafter the buckle [3 has been adjusted to the desired size on a belt, thebuckle will remain in this position until such time as change in size isrequired.

In Fig. 2 of the drawing the gripper 23 is shown in what might be termeda neutral position, however, when the belt ends are coupled together andeleare strained in a direction tending to pull these tical with theelement 31 shown in Fig. 2. In

ends apart, the gripper 23 will be arranged to the other words, theperiphery includes circumferenright of the showing in Fig. 2, with thebelt tially spaced gripper teeth 58, and the center sharply bent in itspassage through the aperture depressed portion 59 of the gripper has thesleeve 20 and abutting the end rail l1. 5 extension 60 similar to theextension 43 for at- Considering Fig. 2 of the drawing it will alsotachment of the socket part 6! therewith. As appear that the diameter ofthe gripper is such as the socket part El is similar to the part 29. forto normally dispose the teeth beyond the ends of this reason, nodetailed description of the part the plate I8 or to extend over both ofthe aperis necessary. tures l9 and 20, Whereas in the operation of the10 Considering the structure of Figs. 6 and 7, it gripper, as abovestated, one portion will be disl be ppa e t that the curvature of thebars posed well above the aperture 20, and the opposed 41 and 48 willhave a tendency to shape t e b portion of the gripper will be arrangedinwardly Strap 0 ther member mounted in the buckle of the aperture l9and upon the plate Is. This t engage a greater num r f teeth n h r psamerelationship and movement of the parts will D element and While the useof the teeth be true with the other forms of construction illus- 49 and59 are not s ential, by including these t te 4t ,7 1 1 teeth, a morepositive gripping action can be In Figs 4 and 5 of t drawing is shownobtained with a belt or strap arranged in the slight modification of thestructure illustrated buckle in Figs, 1 to 3 In these figures 32represents In the various forms of buckles disclosed, the th b k1 framesimila t the frame I, and belt or strap when mounted in the buckle inthe instead of having flat side and end rail memmanner indicated, foreXamDle in i s- 2 and 4.- bers, the side and end rail members arepreferthe drawing, W l be retained against acciably convexed on theouter surface thereof and dental Shifting along the belt or s n evenconcaved on the inner surface thereof, as will when the gripper elementi maintained in the clearly appea in the side rails 33 shown incentralized, or more or less neutral position. Fig 5 and t end rails 34and 35 shown in However, when a strain is applied to the belt or Fig. 4.the latter being equivalent to the rails Strap ends tending to Separatet e Same, the it and I1. With this construction. instead of gripper Willbe moved t t e t. as will be having a center plate as the plate IS inallne- 3O appatentftom a Consideration f 2 0f the ment with the railsand n a center plate drawing, 1n which the belt end H, including the 36is de ressed to a. degree equal to or at least stud is indicated in clotand ash nes. substantially equal to the central ofi'set portion It willalso appear that the t buck e s uni- 3'! of a gripper 3 the ofisetportion 31 being versal insofar as its mounting on a belt is consjmilurto t off et 5 The gripper is f th r 35 cerned. In other words, it isimmaterial which modified by having the peripheral gripper teeth end ofthe buckle is directed toward the end of 39 thereof inclined upwardly ordisposed anguthe belt Strap as both ends are the Same larly to the bodyportion of the gripper.' This t h gripper is capable of movement in theoffse ting of the teeth will provide a firmer direction of both ends inperforming its gripper gagement of the gripper with the belt employed.40 actlonand in Fig. 4, one end portion of a belt is indi- Having fullydescribed my invention, What I cated by the reference ML claim as newand desire to secure by Letters Pat- By offsetting the plate 36downwardly, the entis:

gripper becomes housed within the outwardly A buckle comprising anelongated a bowed or convexed periphery f the buckle or said framehaving transverse belt receiving openwill be arranged for the most partin the recess mgs in end portions thereof the frame. having Surfanethere f as will clearly appear fro a an elongated aperture centrallythereof and terconsideration of Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawing. minatingshort of said end Openings, a round This will keep the portion 4| of thebelt arranged gripper element, said element having an integral above thegripper in closer relationship to the hub portion projecting from thecenter of Said border frame of the buckle, and minimize what element anded and Operating in the apermight b t r t bulging or humping of the tureof said frame in movement of the element b Within th buckle framelongitudinally and rotatably of the frame, the

At 42 is shown a socket member similar to periphery of said elementbeing arranged t socket 2g and attached to the gripper 31 55 iacent theopenings in said frame and adapted t rough a sleeve constru tion 43identical with to grip a belt d d ou e openings n the coupling as t 2521 and 23 and for this said frame in movement of the element longirason. no further detailed description is given. tudinally 0f the frame,Said element being The offset plate 36 has an elongated aperture 44ranged 011 One Surface of the f a means therein similar to the aperture22, to provide 00 teehed to said hub d a n d on e other freelongitudinal m ve ent of th gripper i t surface of the frame forcoupling the buckle with buckle frame. another support and for retainingthe element In Figs. 6 and '7 is shown noth r form of againstdisplacement from the frame, and said buckle. wherein the buckle frame45 has its side element having a o se cum ere t a ed e walls 46 Joinedat the ends in curved cross bars portion paralleling and pa d a y fromthe 4'l and 48, inner surfaces of which are provided adl'a e Surface ofe a wlth longitudinally spaced teeth 49 and 50. The 2. A bucklecomprising an elongated frame, sides 46 are also joined by a centerplate portion said frame having transverse belt receiving open- 5l, theends of which terminate in curved walls ings in end portions thereof,the frame having 52 and 53, spaced from the inner tooth edges of anelongated aperture centrally thereof and terthe bars 41 and 48 to formthe strap or belt mina in sh r f s id end op n n s, a o nd receivingopenings 54 and 55. The plate 5| ingripperelement, said element havingan integral cludes a longitudinal opening 56 to provide b p i pr g fromthe center of said longitudinal movement of the gripper element 5!element and arranged and operating in the apertherewith. The element 5!is substantially iden- 7 ture of said frame in movement of the elementlongitudinally and rotatably of the frame, the periphery of said elementbeing arranged adjacent the openings in said frame and adapted to grip abelt threaded through the openings in said frame in movement of theelement longitudinally of the frame, said element being arranged on onesurface of the frame, means attached to said hub and arranged on theother surface of the frame for coupling the buckle with another supportand for retainin the element against displacement from the frame, theperiphery of said element having circumferentially spaced projections,said projections joining the body portion of the element in acircumferential part offset outwardly with respect to the first namedsurface of the frame, and one wall of each opening in the frame oppositethe gripper element having projecting gripper teeth.

3. In a buckle having a frame apertured for threading of a belttherethrough, a gear like gripper element rotatable upon one surface ofthe frame, the frame having a longitudinal aperture, means extendingfrom the axis of the element into said aperture for rotatably andslidably mounting the element on the frame, said means having a reducedpart extending beyond the other surface of the frame, a fastener memberattached to the reduced part of said means and disposed on said othersurface of the frame, and said fastener member retaining the elementagainst displacement from the frame and having a rigid mounting on thereduced part of said means.

4. In a buckle having a frame apertured for threading of a belttherethrough, a gear like gripper element rotatable upon one surface ofthe frame, the frame having a longitudinal aperture, means extendingfrom the axis of the element into said aperture for rotatably andslidably mounting the element on the frame, said means having a reducedpart extending beyond the other surface of the frame, a fastener mem-'ber attached to the reduced part of said means and disposed on saidother surface of the frame,

said member retaining the element against dis placement from the frame,said member comprisin a resilient stud receiving socket, the first namedsurface of the frame being depressed to house the major portion of theelement therein, and the pressed to dispose the periphery of saidelement in spaced parallel relation to the depressed surface of saidframe.

5. A belt buckle comprising a frame apertured for threading of a belttherethrough, the frame having an elongated aperture disposedsubstantially at right angles to the first apertured portion of theframe, a gripper element arranged on one surface of the frame, saidelement havcentral portion of the element being deing an integral hubportion extending through said elongated aperture for rotatably andslidably mounting of the element on the frame, said hub portion having areduced end portion disposed at the other side of the frame, and a snapfastener member mounted on the reduced portion of the hub at the othersurface of the frame and engaging the frame to retain said elementagainst displacement from the frame.

6. A belt buckle comprising a frame apertured for threading of a belttherethrough, the frame having an elongated aperture disposedsubstantially at right angles to the first apertured portion of theframe, a gripper element arranged on one surface of the frame, saidelement having an integral hub portion extending through said elongatedaperture for slidable mounting of the element on the frame, said hubportion having a reduced end portion disposed at the other side of theframe, a snap fastener member mounted on the reduced portion of the hubat the other surface of the frame and engaging the frame to retain saidelement against displacement from the frame, that part of the framehaving the elongated aperture therein being depressed, and the outerportion of said element being raised with respect to the surface of saiddepressed portion and substantially paralleling the same.

7. In a buckle having a frame with a crosswise aperture at each end forthreading, of a belt therethrough, a gear-like gripper element slidablyand rotatably mounted upon one surface of the frame, the frame having alongitudinal aperture between the crosswise apertures, said gripperelement having a centrally located hub extending through thelongitudinal aperture, and a snap fastener part surrounding and attachedto the protruding part of said hub and bearing directly against theopposite surface of the frame along the sides of said longitudinalaperture to retain the attached gripper element and fastener part inslidable and rotatable relation to the frame.

OTTO J. HUELSTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 887,209 Mattson May 12, 19081,798,677 Johnson et a1. Mar. 31, 1931 1,839,574 Merzinger Jan. 5, 1932FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 667,935 Germany Nov. 23, 1938688,069 Germany Feb. 12, 1940

